Clearfield County man gets state prison term for drug dealing

A Clearfield County man, stopped by state police along Interstate 80 in Kidder Township and found with drugs, was sentenced to a state prison term on Monday after pleading to a drug-dealing charge.

Andrew Andrel Hopes, 37, of DuBois, was sentenced by Judge Joseph J. Matika to serve 12 to 36 months in a state correctional institution on a charge of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.

Hopes was stopped by state police at Fern Ridge on Jan. 19. During the stop, troopers found heroin in the vehicle.

Matika denied a request to sentence Hopes to a county prison term, which would be in the mitigated range of state sentencing guidelines.

Matika noted that Hopes was arrested for the charge while being on probation for another drug count imposed just a few months earlier.

The judge also noted that Hopes has a detainer on him filed by Jefferson County officials for a probation violation.

Hopes said to the court, “I just want to take full responsibility. I’ve learned my lesson.”

In addition to the prison term, Hopes was ordered to get a drug and alcohol evaluation, zero tolerance for drug or alcohol use, supply a DNA sample, pay court costs of about $1,000 and when paroled render 75 hours of community service.

Hopes was given credit for 214 days spent in the county prison on the charge.